Irving Independent School District may soon get some help with the budget shortfall through corporate sponsorships. The district is the first in Texas to join the national school district network of Education Funding Partners (EFP). The company specializes in corporate sponsorships specifically for school districts and has established relationships with a variety of Fortune 500 corporations.
The partnership allows EFP to seek corporations willing to explore creative sponsorship opportunities. There’s no upfront cost to the district and the arrangement doesn’t interfere with existing local sponsors. “With continued state funding cuts, our board has rightfully encouraged us to look at creative opportunities for generating new revenue,” said Irving ISD Superintendent Dr. Dana Bedden. “This is a new funding source. We will use these dollars in very strategic ways, replacing some of our more painful cuts in programs, people or equipment.”
Irving ISD hopes to eventually earn between $500,000 and $1 million per year from sponsors. Scott Layne is the Assistant Superintendent of School Support Services for Irving ISD and will serve as EFP’s point of contact for access to the schools. “Since this is a new field for public schools, we looked for an organization with people directly connected with national sponsors,” Layne said. “EFP not only has those connections, but has demonstrated a commitment to being a true partner that allows the district to select the sponsorships that are the best match for our community.”
The Texas legislature has cut more than $4 billion from its foundation school program budget over the past two years. During the 2011-12 school year, Irving ISD lost $12 million in state funding. While sponsorships won’t make up the shortfall, it will help restore some cuts
“It’s a low risk, high return proposition for schools,” said Mickey Freeman, President & Chief Executive Officer for EFP. “We find sustainable corporate support for public education while districts still have final say over how the sponsor is displayed.” Freeman will send a team to Irving soon to determine the value of sponsorship opportunities in the district and then package those marketing assets for presentations to a variety of Fortune 500 corporations.
